- Recover 2 pump-action rifles, live cartridges, and body of an unidentified female victim
The police in Imo State Police Command have killed two suspected kidnappers.
Specifically, operatives of Agwa Division of led by its Divisional Police Officer (DPO), gunned down the suspects during a routine patrol along Obudi–Mgbala Road.
Spokesperson of the Imo State Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye, who briefed newsmen at its headquarters in Owerri, confirmed that the deceased kidnappers were gunned down as the Agwa Division officers engaged their gang while on routine patrol along Obudi–Mgbala Road on Tuesday.
Okoye disclosed that while other gang members fled with injuries, two pump-action rifles, seven live cartridges, and two Android phones were recovered from the suspects. The officers rescued a yet-to-be-identified female victim, who later died in an undisclosed hospital while receiving treatment.
Okoye said: “The Imo State Police Command has recorded notable successes in its ongoing operations against kidnapping and violent crimes across the State.
“On 02/12/2025 at about 2022hrs, operatives of Agwa Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Agwa, while on patrol along Obudi–Mgbala Road, engaged a gang of kidnappers using a white shuttle bus marked EHM 542 XL.
“Two of the suspects were neutralised, while others fled with injuries. Recovered items include two pump-action rifles, seven live cartridges, two Android phones, and the body of an unidentified female victim. The recovered items and bodies have been deposited at the mortuary as investigation continues.
“In another development, on the same date at about 1800hrs, operatives of Nekede Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Nekede Division, acting on credible intelligence, raided Umuezeruokam Forest linking Avu Forest.
“The operation led to the arrest of twelve (12) suspects and the recovery of twelve (12) phones, two daggers, one cutlass, assorted hard drugs, one saw blade, and one bunch of arrows. The case has been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for further investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police assures residents of sustained efforts to eliminate criminal elements and maintain public safety,” he added.